Visually sparse and abstract laboratory paradigms are often used to study visual attention and attention capture. Do the factors found to influence the allocation of attention in these studies also predict distraction in more complex real-world scenes? We explored this question using an attention capture paradigm modeled after driving a driving scene. Anecdotally, the flash that accompanies Red Light Running Cameras (RLRC) has been reported to be distracting. An Inhibition of Return (IOR)... Show moreVisually sparse and abstract laboratory paradigms are often used to study visual attention and attention capture. Do the factors found to influence the allocation of attention in these studies also predict distraction in more complex real-world scenes? We explored this question using an attention capture paradigm modeled after driving a driving scene. Anecdotally, the flash that accompanies Red Light Running Cameras (RLRC) has been reported to be distracting. An Inhibition of Return (IOR) paradigm was used to test if RLRC flashes in simulated driving scenes capture attention. After attention is allocated to an area, IOR discourages future attention shifts to that same area, thus IOR serves as a reliable marker of spatial attention. In two experiments, participants were slower to respond to the brake lamps of a vehicle when a RLRC flash occurred nearby, and were also slower at initiating eye movements to brake lamp signals (IOR effects). Results suggest that attention can be misdirected as a result of RLRC flashes and demonstrate that findings from simple laboratory paradigms can predict the allocation of attention in complex settings that are more familiar to observers. Despite clear evidence for the capture of attention, additional study is necessary to better understand the effect RLRC flashes may have on driving performance. Show less